Uncommon complications of sacrospinous fixation for treatment of vaginal vault prolapse

Objective: The present study was undertaken to evaluate uncommon complications following transvaginal sacrospinous colpopexy for treatment of vaginal vault prolapse. Case reports: A series of three patients who developed uncommon complications following sacrospinous fixation are reported. A 64-year-old patient undergoing bilateral sacrospinous colpopexy for the treatment of an ICS stage III vaginal vault prolapse developed a perineal necrotizing infection. Another patient, a 69-year-old woman with total vaginal vault prolapse and anterior vaginal wall defect (ICS stage II), underwent a right transvaginal sacrospinous colpopexy and anterior repair, presenting postoperatively with a perineal hernia. The third case consisted of a 71-year-old woman who underwent a right sacrospinous colpopexy with paravaginal repair, rectocele repair, and perineorrhaphy for treatment of an ICS stage III post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse, stage II cystocele secondary to a bilateral paravaginal defect, and a stage II rectocele. Six months later the patient developed a left lateral enterocele, which was successfully repaired with a left sacrospinous ligament fixation. Discussion: Etiological factors and treatment considerations for these uncommon complications of sacrospinous colpopexy are discussed in detail, and prophylactic measures, when applicable, are emphasized. © Springer-Verlag 2004.